Hurling may be the predominant game played in the Cashel King Cormacs club but in 2006 the club's footballers demonstrated their football ability by winning the Tipperary west football championship. Although the Rock of Cashel inevitably springs to mind when you think of the west Tipperary town, the area also has a proud Gaelic games tradition. Cashel King Cormacs were Munster hurling champions in the 1991-1992 season. They were involved in three memorable battles with eventual All-Ireland winners Kiltormer, losing the second replay by three points. Two members of that team, Colm and Cormac Bonner were on the West Tipperary team of the millennium and were on the Tipperary team which won the All-Ireland title in 1989 and 1991. This season, the club's footballers took pride of place. When West Board Chairman Billy Ryan presented the championship trophy to Cashel captain David Delahunty in October, it was the first time the club had won the title since 1976. Local building contractors and developers Delaney/Ryan Ltd have been sponsoring this team for the last five years. The company's assistance has been invaluable over the last few years in meeting the constant financial demand placed on the club. Speaking in the aftermath of the success, Chairman Ger Slattery, a member of the hurling panel in 1991 which won the Munster title, highlighted his delight that the footballers had made their mark on the club this year. "It was a huge bonus for the footballers this year to win the West Intermediate championship. Hurling would be the main sport in the club but this year the footballers put in a huge effort. "This year Colm O Flaherty took over them and worked alongside selectors Michael Doyle, Tony Fitzgerald, Seanie O'Donoghue and they were also helped by Dennis Fitzgerald," he says. Cashel won seven matches out of eight to capture the West Intermediate football championship. They were defeated in the county championship semi-final. The campaign began on May 28th. Cashel played Rockwell Rovers, whom they would meet again in the final later in the season. In a close match, Cashel won by 3-6 to 2-8. Emly were their next opponents. They proved a tough proposition but Cashel did enough. Up front players such as Darragh O'Brien and Mickey Coleman excelled and Cashel were victorious. They continued that good form with a ten-point victory over Rosegreen, 1-13 to 0-6. Cashel maintained their 100% record, defeating Lattin/Cullen, on a 0-17 to 1-8 scoreline. The headline in that week's 'Tipperary Star' highlighted the importance of TJ Connolly in Cashel's victory. The headline read 'Connolly a colossus in Cashel victory'. Connolly contributed four points from midfield, playing a starring role in his side's win with some fine fielding throughout the game. In the first half, players such as Gavin Manton, PJ Mooney and Ross Doyle saw Cashel race into a five-point lead. Lattin/Cullen hit back. Roger Kiely scored the game's only goal but at half-time, Cashel still led by 0-8 to 1-3. In the first quarter of the second half, Lattin/Cullen hit a purple patch. Three consecutive points leveled the match. Lattin/Cullen went ahead before Darragh O'Brien then put Cashel level. Kiely later put Lattin/Cullen in front again. However after William Fitzell leveled for Cashel, Lattin/Cullen didn't score for the remainder of the match. Cashel finished strongly, scoring six points to win the match by nine. Along with TJ Connolly's masterful display, there were also good performances from players such as Tony Hewitt and Ronnie O'Donoghue. This victory secured Cashel's place in the championship semi-final. They were able to give some players a rest for the match against Golden/Kilfeacle who needed to win to stay in touch in the competition. In the first fifteen minutes, Golden/Kilfeacle displayed hunger and determination which Cashel were unable to match. They had 1-2 on the scoreline before Ross Doyle scored Cashel's first point. Doyle's free-taking ability was crucial during that first half but Golden/Kilfeacle still had a 1-5 to 0-4 lead at half-time. Cashel were keen to keep their unbeaten championship run intact. They began making some inroads into the opposition defence. In the second half, Doyle's penalty put only the bare minimum between the sides. Golden/Kilfeacle finished stronger, two late points helping to secure a 1-10 to 1-8 win. Having been awarded the game against Kickhams, Cashel began preparations for the west Intermediate championship semi-final against Lattin/Cullen. After Cashel corner-back Tony Hewitt scored a superb individual point in the first half, Cashel took control of the first half. With Ross Doyle and TJ Connolly prominent, Cashel took the game to their opponents. That said, they held a slender three-point lead at half-time and had squandered several opportunities. Doyle scored three points at the start of the second half. Lattin/Cullen responded with two points but these were to be their last scores of the match. Cashel goalkeeper Robert White was called upon several times to make some fine saves. At the other end, Cashel began pulling away. Philly Taylor, Ross Doyle and Jason Connolly all got on the scoreboard before the final whistle. Unlike the 2005 semi-final between the same teams, which Cashel won after a replay, Cashel won this game with seven points to spare. Tony Hewitt, David Delahunty at midfield and Ross Doyle up front were excellent. By this stage, only Rockwell Rovers stood between Cashel and the title. Cashel were seeking to bridge a long gap: they hadn't won this title since 1976. Their opponents had been successful eight years ago. In a low-scoring first half, Cashel took control around midfield with TJ Connolly and Ryan O'Dwyer in excellent form. Points from Ross Doyle, Philly Taylor and TJ Connolly gave them a three points to one advantage at the break. Rockwell Rovers then upped the ante in the second half. Four points in reply gave them a two-point lead. Ross Doyle cut the gap to the minimum but Rockwell Rovers added another three points. Although their danger man Mikey Fahy had been replaced, victory for Rockwell Rovers looked a distinct possibility at this stage. However, Cashel then showed their grit. A foul on Dara O'Brien resulted in a penalty. Ross Doyle found the net and now there was only a point between them. Following the kickout, a foul on Ronan O'Donoghue gave TJ Connolly the chance to level the affair. This he did and the game went into extra time. Both sides exchanged points before Ross Doyle put Cashel in front. Leading by 1-7 to 0-9 at the end of the first period, a solitary point from PJ Mooney in the second period was enough to ensure victory. Although they lost out in the county championship Cashel will be delighted to have gone as far as they did this season. The challenge now is to build on that progress in 2007. Tweet

Most Read Stories